RECALL OF MEETING #460   

The 460th. meeting of the Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors was held on November 27th at the State House in Boston with 25 members present and was hosted by Senator Susan Fargo.  After a brief business meeting, the Senator was presented with a plaque by MIFDI President Norm Aubert and First Vice President Michael McLeieer recognizing her for her support of firefighters and firefighter training in Massachusetts.  A very detailed and informative tour of the State House was held thereafter. We were very fortunate to see many parts of government most people never get the chance to see. Our most sincere appreciation and thanks go to Senator Fargo!

1st Vice President Michael McLeieer (left) congratulates Senator Susan Fargo as President Norm Aubert prepares to present the plaque on the "Grand Staircase" of the State House in Boston.
 
 




















BUSINESS MEETING:

For the Business Meeting See "New Business"

The Secretary’s report:  No report as of press time.

The Treasurer’s Report:  as of 12/8/2002

November Meeting
11/27/2002

Checking Balance 11/27/2002 = $1,155.58                                                   November Newsletter     Paid $105.00
                                                                                                                        Website Aug 02 –Nov 02 Paid $  23.80
                                                                                                                                                        Total         $ 128.80
50/50 Raffle =
Winner
                                                                                                                        Cost of Web Page was 5.95/month
Deposit from 50/50 Raffle =                                                                          As of November 02 cost 7.95/month
                                                                                                                         $2.00 owed to Mike / Paid with December newsletter

MIFDI Stickers Cost $750.00                                                                       MIFDI Clothing collected $350.00
            Collected         $  39.00                                                                                                purchased  $286.00
                                   -$711.00                                                                                                                   $   64.00
                                                                                                           Owed to treasurer for Mailing       $   16.00
                                                                                                                                     Current Profit        $   48.00


Total members = 135
Dues paid thru 2003 = 20
Dues paid thru 2002 = 72

Dues paid thru 2001 = 43     Active 39 x 25.00 =  975.00
                                               Retired 4 x 12.50 =     50.00
                                               Total in the rears = 1025.00

This total in the rears would bring all members current to 12/31/2002
The new total is actual not estimated.


1 new members since last meeting
FF Joseph Guarnera – Revere Fire Department
 

Treasury Balance as of 12/8/2002 =  $ 1,243.08
 
 

Respectfully submitted   12/8/2002
David M. Jardin
MIFDI Treasurer
Deputy Fire Chief – Stoughton

Thank you to the membership for your support.


The goal of MIFDI is to have this organization over 200 members strong by the end of this year.  Please spread the word about our organization to members of the fire service and tell a friend.

OLD BUSINESS:
 

NEW BUSINESS:  At the 460th MIFDI Meeting held November 27th at the State House in Boston, the membership elected current 1st Vice President Michael McLeieer to the position of President, effective January 2003.  2nd Vice President Scott Maker was elected to hold the 1st Vice President position and Captain Mark Roche was elected to the 2nd Vice President's position, also effective January 2003.
 

COMMITTEES:
The Historical Committee - consists of Steve Perrson, Ira Hoffman, and Richard Gomes. Nothing to report.

The Bi-Law Committee - consists of Norm Aubert, C. Randall Sherman, Mort Shurtluff, Chris Kelly, Brian Ash, and John Cummings.  Nothing to Report.

Public Relations Committee  - consists of Mr. Ira Hoffman and Michael McLeieer.  Nothing to report.

MFTC UPDATE:   Steve Persson

MFA UPDATE:  Norm Aubert, Jr.

DECEMBER MEETING:
The December meeting of M.I.F.D.I. will be our "Holiday Gathering" and hosted by the Newton Fire Department.  The meeting will take place on Wednesday December 18 at Yerardi's Restaurant, 418 Watertown St.(Rt.16). We will meet in the second floor function room. (This is the same location as the March 2002 meeting).

The training program will be provided by representatives from Duke Energy which operates the Algonquin Gas Transmission lines. The presentation will focus on handling fires and emergencies involving their equipment. This program should be of interest to many of us due to the large number of communities that are routes for these pipelines.

Following the program, a delicious Italian Buffet luncheon will be served. The cost will be $15.00 p.p. Reservations are not nessessary, but would be helpful for planning. If you know that you will attend, you can contact;

Michael McLeieer Ph. 978-346-4731 or e-mail michael.mcleieer@merrimacfire.com
or
Scott Maker Ph. 978-346-4731 or e-mail scott.maker@merrimacfire.com

Any last minute guests will be accommodated by letting us know that morning if you are planning to stay for this superb lunch.

DIRECTIONS:
From Rt.128 (I 95): Take Exit 21. Follow Rt.16 East  aprox 2 miles. NOTE: after you pass the Police Station and Court House, stay in the left lane as Rt.16 bears left at that point onto Watertown Street. Stay on Watertown Street aprox 1.5 miles and Yerardi's is located on the right between Central Cleaners and Fox Pharmacy. There is ample parking in the rear on the Hawthorn Street side.

From the Mass Pike (I 90): Take Exit 17. Follow Washington St. West to Adams St. (Our Lady's Church is on the corner). Turn right on Adams St. to first traffic light, that is Watertown Street. Turn left and Yerardi's will be on the left.

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT:
To my brothers in MIFDI this is the last “From The Desk Of” that you will read written by myself.  I feel a sense of accomplishment along with a sense of emptiness knowing that the ride is NOW over.   It has been an honor representing ALL of my brothers of the MIFDI organization for the last two years.  We have accomplished so many tasks and reached some milestones of our organizational history. Our website and Bulletin did receive a facelift in which both have become professional mediums so that people can network and receive and gather firefighting information. Our relationship with organizations such as the Department of Fire Services and the State Fire Marshal, the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, Professional Firefighters of  Massachusetts and the Massachusetts State House has grown closer than ever. I am sure that these bonds will continue to strengthen in the years to come so that we ALL will benefit.  I honestly feel that this organization could not be as strong as it is without the dedication and commitment of its officer’s, Board of Directors, and most importantly, the general membership.

As I have stated in the past, our organization remains a valuable professional fire   service resource that the fire community takes seriously and respects.  By no means am I riding off in the sunset after this month, and this will not be the last time you see me.  As in the past, I will continue to support this organization in any way I can so that to preserve the true meaning of sharing knowledge, and remember “None Of Us Are As Smart As ALL Of Us!”  As a member of the Board of Directors, I will continue to lobby on fire service issues at the state house, so that people who make change can be informed to make the difference.

In these crazy changing times, we as an organization have to strive and UNITE to be stronger than ever, and find NEW innovated ways to deliver training to our members to keep them involved.  Please continue to give support and understanding to the NEW MIFDI leadership that will take over in January 2003. I know that Michael, Scott, Mark, Dave, and Ed will pick up the MIFDI baton to recruit and increase the current membership, and provide quality training during our meetings. I also hope that my vision of hands on training provided by the DFS/MFA will be a reality in the upcoming months.

HOT TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION IN DECEMBER:
(DISCUSSION WAS WAVED AT THE STATE HOUSE)

1. Jon Jones update for suggested Statewide Mandatory Training.
2. What to do with members that are past due in their membership dues.
3. DFS/MFA update.
4. MFTC update.
5. Committee updates and suggestions.
6. Location of Future meetings
7. Volunteers to write articles for the bulletin.
8. Future meetings.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:


UPCOMING EVENTS: DON’T MISS THE FIRST ANNUAL MIFDI HOLIDAY MEETING AND LUNCHEON ON 18 DECEMBER 2002 AT YERARDI’S IN NEWTON.  SEE BULLETIN FOR DIRECTIONS.

HONORABLE MENTION: To all the firefighters that were noticed at the Firefighter’s Award Ceremony for going above and beyond and “doing!”
 
ON CAPITAL HILL: Stay active; learn about what is going on at the hill.  We are a voice, and as Senator Fargo stated, “this is your house”

SIDE NOTES: I recently talked to Senator Fargo and she informed me that she was quite impressed with the MIFDI members that she met during the November meeting.  She wanted me to thank ALL of you again for the plaque that was presented to her, she is displaying it in her office.

CONGRATS to; Captain Mark Roche from the Newton Fire Department on his upcoming position as 2nd Vice President!!!
 

Make sure to visit, and tell a friend, about the MIFDI dominion website at MIFDI.ORG, or log on to the DFS/MFA or FSP link.  As usual, if there is anything that the officers and board of directors can do to make “OUR” organization better, please let us know!!!  Please be safe and may Saint Florian always be there to guide you safely.

See you in Newton.

Norm…


LAST ALARM:
TRAGIC ANNIVERSARY

This month marks the third anniversary of the tragic fire in Worcester that claimed the lives of six firefighters. It was a cold night on December 3rd, 1999 when at 1813 hours Box 1438 was transmitted for a fire at the former Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse located at 266 Franklin Street. A team of two firefighters entered the burning warehouse to conduct a primary search for homeless people that were reported to have occupied the structure. Two additional teams of two entered as conditions began to rapidly deteriorate to search for the original search team in this maze-like structure. None of them came out of this building from Hell.

Let us never forget the sacrifice made by these men;

Paul A. Brotherton (R-1),
Jeremiah M. Lucey (R-1),
Thomas E. Spencer (L-2),
Timothy P. Jackson (L-2),
James F. Lyons (E-3),
Joseph T. McGuirk (E-3).
 

May they Rest In Peace.


INSTRUCTORS CORNER:

Something to be aware of:

Many law enforcement officials can attest to the variety of ingenious weapons utilized by motorcycle gang members. A replacement part for the motor oil dipstick on Harley Davidson motorcycles is available and is dangerous!

The oil tank is on the right side of Harleys just under the seat. The      dipstick is a weapon and has a 3 inch blade that replaces the stock dipstick for the motor. The casual observer will have no indication of the potentially dangerous weapon that is within reach of the motorcyclists right leg.

Responders should also be aware that gang members have welded knife blades to the underside of gas tank caps. As with the oil tank dipstick knife, these weapons are easily accessed and can be deadly.

ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

Stay safe and have a happy holiday season.  

Scott.


WELCOME NEW MIFDI MEMBERS:

Joseph Guarnera - Revere Fire

FIRE SERVICE FEEDBACK:

This forum is an extension of the Guest Book on the MIFDI Web-site, and provides our members a way to ask questions and get answers about problems encountered in the Fire and EMS service. If you would like to reply to a question or pose your own question but have no internet capabilities, you may do so in writing to: Michael McLeieer, 1st V.P.- MIFDI, PO Box 507, Merrimac, MA 01860-0510.  Fax # (978) 346-8430.


Name:  Chaplain James O'Brien
Email:   ojisan2@msn.com
Comments:  Happy to come across your home page! I was privileged to serve as MIFDI Chaplain during my years in Brockton (1965-1972) and have continued my interest in the organization ever since. I would be pleased to hear from anyone from our time together.
Fire Department:  Newcastle, Maine
Rank:  Chaplain


DRILL SCHEDULE:

DECEMBER: HOLIDAY GATHERING-Yerardi's Restaurant.

JANUARY: TBA

FEBRUARY: TBA